East Coast

Flood-hit farmers in Tairāwhiti have voiced support for an independent review as they continue to clear debris from their properties.

A review of land-use in Tairāwhiti looks likely following a meeting at Gisborne District Council yesterday, but there is some confusion about what exactly was settled behind closed doors.

Many roads are damaged and impassable across Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, while the Coromandel Peninsula has been cut off. We bring you details about the roads.

The death of a child on a slash-covered beach could have been prevented, residents say, and the tragedy has reignited calls for action on forestry slash. Audio

Gisborne's mayor says she is heartbroken for the family of a child who died at Waikanae Beach.

A child has died after being injured at Waikanae Beach in Gisborne.

Some families in Tolaga Bay are still stranded, two weeks on from the devastation of Cyclone Hale. Audio

Federated Farmers says residual material and slash from forestry harvesting contributed to the damage to farmland when the ex-tropical cyclone made landfall this month.

A scientific project to understand more about Gisborne's critical groundwater will start in February.

The Tairāwhiti region appears to have escaped another expected storm just days after the last major rainfall. Audio

MetService expects rain falling in storm-damaged Tairāwhiti will get heavier in the next few hours.

Uawa Civil Defence is expecting Tolaga Bay communities to be cut off again and roads to continue crumbling as another onslaught of wet weather hits this afternoon.

Forestry companies need to sit down with key stakeholders to understand how to operate better, but there is no need for an inquiry, the Minister of Forestry says. Audio

The local civil defence manager says some families are pondering whether to remain in the area as they deal with the aftermath of last week's Cyclone Hale. Audio

What was meant to be a grand return to business has become another nightmare for the tourism sector after a wet start to the year.

The state of emergency could soon be lifted, as Tairāwhiti authorities work to restore basic services to communities reeling from Cyclone Hale as more rain threatens.

The government has announced $100,000 of funding support for Tairāwhiti farmers and growers impacted by Cyclone Hale.

A project in Tairāwhiti is one of two in the country piloting ways to help men talk about the tough stuff that's well away from the confines of a pub.

Weather warnings have been lifted for Tairāwhiti while Northland says its recovery will take several weeks.

An estimated 30 whānau from the Uawa, or Tolaga Bay area have spent the night away from home, staying with relatives on higher ground as Cyclone Hale set floodwaters lapping at their doors.